Resources companies are implementing a variety of measures to prevent Coronavirus from spreading, an industry body has said.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) confirmed it is aware of multiple mining proponents that have proactively introduced safety protocols to help reduce the impact of the coronavirus (covid-19) on an estimated 372,000 direct and indirect mine workers across the Sunshine State.
“Companies are already taking steps to slow the spread of covid-19 as we do all we can to keep our workforce and their communities healthy,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said in a public statement.
Preventative steps
Some of the many measures include:
- health questionnaires for visitors and suppliers
- temperature checks at mine site entries and before flights to mine sites
- head office staff working from home
- staggered crib breaks
- no non-essential visitors to mine sites
- isolating essential emergency response and pump crews from other workers.
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QRC has also set up a special covid-19 working group to share information and responses to the virus in order to minimise the impact on mine workers, families and communities.
“[This includes] one in seven working Queenslanders whose livelihood is linked directly or indirectly to the resources industry,” Macfarlane said.
“While these are turbulent times amid the covid-19 response, the resources industry will continue to play its central role in the economic productivity of the state and lives of all Queenslanders … we cannot afford distractions from what is essential at this time – responding to the global pandemic that is covid-19.”
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